Desiring prophecy

1 Corinthians 14:1 CSB

1 Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy.

There is a reason for the Apostle Paul addresssing the church on this matter. That was, because there had been abuse of the gifts.

They saw their gifts as a sign of God’s approval

They had allowed a flawed thinking into their lives where they thought their gifts proved their spirituality.

But instead of saying, they aren’t that important and just stop them he does the opposite and says, “desire them.”

This is relevant!

In these days of self-serving evangelists and prophets

In these days when people have been hurt through church abuses

In which spirituality is measured by gifts rather than character

Abuse should not lead to no use, but rather finding the right use.

I grew up in very conservative and a church that didn’t believe the miraculous gifts of the Spirit were for today. There were never prophecies, prayer for healing, tongues, word of knowledge etc. As I studied Scripture I couldn’t support that view, even though I loved and respected those who had taught me.

This is what I found.

1. It's a command

i. We saw last week we are commanded to pursue love as the ultimate thing.

ii. We are commanded to desire spiritual gifts which are a manfiestation of God’s Spirit.

iii. In that command is “Especially that you may prophesy”

1.1. The command means it’s important and for our good

We put an emphasis on this because this is a command, and we take the commands of God seriously. When God says something is important we believe Him!

1 Thessalonians 5:19–21 CSB

19 Don’t stifle the Spirit. 20 Don’t despise prophecies, 21 but test all things. Hold on to what is good.

Greg Haslam says, “Increasingly, I came to honour the gift as one of the most edifying and helpful charismata in the Holy Spirit’s armoury designed to thoroughly equip the saints.”

1.2. The command is for everyone

He is speaking to thee church.

I remember, when I first began to explore these things I was fearful. I was fearful because I didn’t understand it. I thought prophecy was someone reading my mail and telling me my future.

Sam Storms defines it as “The Human report of a divine revelation. Prophecy is the speaking forth in merely human words of something God has spontaneously brought to mind.”

2. It has clear purpose

2.1. To build

Who and what are they building? The people of God and the church of God - see verse 3, 5,12

God cares about people and will often give us a word for them. Expect it! At times we haven’t articulated it as prophecy, but I know there have been many times in our meeting where we have been built up as someone spooke what they felt God putting into their minds. When this happens we become convinced that God is for us and it stirs a worshipful response.

That’s what we discover in Acts 15:32

Acts 15:32 CSB

32 Both Judas and Silas, who were also prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers and sisters and strengthened them with a long message.

2.2. Calls sinners to repentance - see verse 24

1 Corinthians 14:24–25 CSB

24 But if all are prophesying and some unbeliever or outsider comes in, he is convicted by all and is called to account by all. 25 The secrets of his heart will be revealed, and as a result he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is really among you.”

The idea is an orderly service, but one where God’s presence is clearly seen and experienced as people are confronted by the presence of God.

The gifts support the mission because they point to the giver. That’s where all the gifts work together.

2.3. To manifest God's Presence/Person

There is an aspect of church life that goes beyond just the natural.

3. They must be weighed up v29

Dave Harvey wrote: “Having a robust understanding of God’s empowering presence should result in a believer encountering God in ways defined and evaluated by Scripture.”

3.1. The posture of the one bringing the Word

This tells me prophecy is done with humility and awe. it’s not an authoritative word.

3.1.1. It’s submissive to God and Scripture.

The Canon of Scripture is closed - there is no more to be added.

Scripture is sufficient 2 Peter 1:3-4

Scripture is authoratative 2 Tim 3:15-17

3.1.2. It’s submitted to the elders and open for correction and discernment

This the part many don’t like because they don’t value loving correction.

Many churches have the elders as gatekeepers to those sharing a word. Here’ we have been free, but it must still give freedom for correction.

Sometimes God may impress something on you, but it’s not for now. Maybe it’s for someone in the church.

It must be in line with Scripture (not eating grass) and for the edification of the church.

3.2. The manner in which the word if brought

This informs the HOW!

Use, "I have a sense that God is saying something to us" rather than beling dramatic and "Thus saith the Lord" or “God told me...” That language doesn’t allow evaluation.

Let me say, sometimes you don’t have to bring the application - let God use you and let Him apply it as it’s appropriate.

4. Readying our hearts to be used by God

Where does it all start for us? Earnestly desire the spiritual gifts. This means yielding fully to God in every area of life.

“Yielding is at the heart of receiving the gifts of God’s Holy Spirit. For it is only when a person lays himself totally at the disposal of God and holds nothing back that the Spirit moves in to take full possession. This yielding may mean the willingness to give up earthly reputation, security and ambition so that God may be glorified. Yielding is an act of faith. It is not something beyond faith, but it is faith in its profoundest expression.” (J. Rodman Williams).

Guidelines for giving a prophetic word: 1. Don’t assume that just because you receive a revelation that you have permission to share it. 2. Learn to distinguish between the revelation, its interpretation, and its application. 3. Always give prophetic words with humility. 4. Once you have delivered the prophetic message, your job is over – except to pray. 5. Never trust a negative impression about someone with whom you are angry or jealous. 6. Another trap into which I commonly see prophetic people fall is the desire to be awesome in ministry, to be “a prophet to the nations.” (Desire to be faithful, not awesome.) 7. Humble yourself and admit mistakes. -Jack Deere

Seek Him! Seek Him! What can we do without Him? Seek Him! Seek Him always. But go beyond seeking Him; expect Him. Do you expect anything to happen to you when you get up to [lead worship?] Seek this power, expect this power, yearn for this power; and when this power comes, yield to Him. Do not resist. Forget all about your [planning] if necessary. Let him loose you, let Him manifest His power in you and through you.” (Sargent, quoting Martyn Lloyd-Jones, pg. 57)